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Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023Optical sensors excel in performance but face efficacy challenges when submerged due to potential surface colonization, leading to signal deviation. This necessitates...
Optical sensors excel in performance but face efficacy challenges when submerged due to potential surface colonization, leading to signal deviation. This necessitates robust solutions for sustained accuracy. Protein and microorganism adsorption on solid surfaces is crucial in antibiofilm studies, contributing to conditioning film and biofilm formation. Most studies focus on surface characteristics (hydrophilicity, roughness, charge, and composition) individually for their adhesion impact. In this work, we tested four materials: silica, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, and parylene C. Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) served as the biofouling conditioning model, assessed with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Its effect on microorganism adhesion (modeled with functionalized microbeads) was quantified using a shear stress flow chamber. Surface features and adhesion properties were correlated via Principal Component Analysis (PCA). Protein adsorption is influenced by nanoscale roughness, hydrophilicity, and likely correlated with superficial electron distribution and bond nature. Conditioning films alter the surface interaction with microbeads, affecting hydrophilicity and local charge distribution. Silica shows a significant increase in microbead adhesion, while parylene C exhibits a moderate increase, and titanium dioxide shows reduced adhesion. Alumina demonstrates notable stability, with the conditioning film minimally impacting adhesion, which remains low.
Topics: Aluminum Oxide; Silicon Dioxide; Surface Properties; Serum Albumin, Bovine; Titanium; Adsorption
PubMed: 38067919
DOI: 10.3390/s23239546 -
Water Science and Technology : a... Jul 2023In the ballasted flocculation, high-speed sedimentation of suspensions is achieved using a microsand as a ballast material and a polymer flocculant combined with...
In the ballasted flocculation, high-speed sedimentation of suspensions is achieved using a microsand as a ballast material and a polymer flocculant combined with microflocs made of polyaluminum chloride (PAC) as an inorganic coagulant. In this study, three turbid water samples containing kaolin clay (kaolin concentration: 20, 200, and 500 mg/L) were treated by coagulation-sedimentation and ballasted flocculation. The effects of pH and PAC dosage, which are the controlling parameters for coagulation, and the microsand (silica sand) and polymer dosages, which are the controlling parameters for ballasted treatment, on the treatment efficiency and floc settling velocity were examined. The floc settling velocity under the optimum conditions was 17 times higher than that of the conventional coagulation-sedimentation process using PAC. The turbidity was 0.54 turbidity unit (TU) (TU as the kaolin standard), and its removal efficiency was 99.7%. Furthermore, turbid water samples with different kaolin concentrations (20 and 500 mg/L) were treated via the ballasted flocculation. In this study, fundamental information on the optimization of each dosage condition of coagulant, ballast, and polymer and pH condition in ballasted flocculation was obtained, and the removal mechanisms under optimal, underoptimistic and overoptimistic conditions were proposed.
Topics: Flocculation; Kaolin; Water Purification; Polymers; Water
PubMed: 37452532
DOI: 10.2166/wst.2023.204 -
Biomaterials Jun 2024Implant-associated infections (IAIs) pose a significant threat to orthopedic surgeries. Bacteria colonizing the surface of implants disrupt bone formation-related cells...
Implant-associated infections (IAIs) pose a significant threat to orthopedic surgeries. Bacteria colonizing the surface of implants disrupt bone formation-related cells and interfere with the osteoimmune system, resulting in an impaired immune microenvironment and osteogenesis disorders. Inspired by nature, a zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF)-sealed smart drug delivery system on Ti substrates (ZSTG) was developed for the "natural-artificial dual-enzyme intervention (NADEI)" strategy to address these challenges. The subtle sealing design of ZIF-8 on the TiO nanotubes ensured glucose oxidase (GOx) activity and prevented its premature leakage. In the acidic infection microenvironment, the degradation of ZIF-8 triggered the rapid release of GOx, which converted glucose into HO for disinfection. The Zn released from degraded ZIF-8, as a DNase mimic, can hydrolyze extracellular DNA, which further enhances HO-induced disinfection and prevents biofilm formation. Importantly, Zn-mediated M2 macrophage polarization significantly improved the impaired osteoimmune microenvironment, accelerating bone repair. Transcriptomics revealed that ZSTG effectively suppressed the inflammatory cascade induced by lipopolysaccharide while promoting cell proliferation, homeostasis maintenance, and bone repair. In vitro and in vivo results confirmed the superior anti-infective, osteoimmunomodulatory, and osteointegrative capacities of the ZSTG-mediated NADEI strategy. Overall, this smart bionic platform has significant potential for future clinical applications to treat IAIs.
Topics: Osseointegration; Zeolites; Hydrogen Peroxide; Macrophages; Anti-Infective Agents; Osteogenesis
PubMed: 38401481
DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2024.122515 -
Chemosphere Dec 2023Knowledge on the photocatalytic degradability of the emerging poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in water, specifically GenX, is limited. GenX has been...
Knowledge on the photocatalytic degradability of the emerging poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) in water, specifically GenX, is limited. GenX has been detected globally in river water and is considered potentially more toxic than legacy PFAS. In this study, we compared the photocatalytic degradability of GenX with the legacy compounds perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) using Fe-zeolite photocatalysts. After 7 h of irradiation, GenX showed lower removal (79%) and defluorination (33%) as compared to PFOA (100% removal and 69% defluorination) and PFOS (100% removal and 51% defluorination). The quasi-first-order degradation rate of GenX (1.5 h) was 12 and 1.2 times lower than PFOA (18.4 h) and PFOS (1.8 h), respectively. Additionally, PFOA's defluorination rate (0.9 h) was approximately 2.6 and 9 times higher than GenX (0.35 h) and PFOS (0.1 h), respectively. These outcomes correlate with GenX's lower hydrophobicity, leading to reduced adsorption (40%) compared to PFOA (99%) and PFOS (87%). Based on identified transformation products, we proposed a GenX degradation pathway, resulting in ultra-short-chain PFASs with a chain length of 2 and 3 carbon atoms, while PFOA and PFOS degraded stepwise, losing 1 carbon-fluorine bond at a time, leading to gradually shorter chain lengths (from 7 to 2 carbon atoms). In conclusion, GenX is more challenging to remove and degrade due to its lower adsorption on the photocatalyst, potential steric hindrance, and higher production of persistent ultra-short-chain transformation products through photocatalysis.
Topics: Zeolites; Water; Fluorocarbons; Alkanesulfonic Acids; Caprylates; Carbon
PubMed: 37802482
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140344 -
Advanced Healthcare Materials Mar 2024In the context of bone regeneration, nanoparticles harboring osteogenic factors have emerged as pivotal agents for modulating the differentiation fate of stem cells....
In the context of bone regeneration, nanoparticles harboring osteogenic factors have emerged as pivotal agents for modulating the differentiation fate of stem cells. However, persistent challenges surrounding biocompatibility, loading efficiency, and precise targeting ability warrant innovative solution. In this study, a novel nanoparticle platform founded upon the zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) is introduced. This new design, CDC20@ZIF-8@eM-Apt, involves the envelopment of ZIF-8 within an erythrocyte membrane (eM) cloak, and is coupled with a targeting aptamer. ZIF-8, distinguished by its porosity, biocompatibility, and robust cargo transport capabilities, constitutes the core framework. Cell division cycle protein 20 homolog (CDC20) is illuminated as a new target in bone regeneration. The eM plays a dual role in maintaining nanoparticle stability and facilitating fusion with target cell membranes, while the aptamer orchestrates the specific recruitment of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) within bone defect sites. Significantly, CDC20@ZIF-8@eM-Apt amplifies osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs via the inhibition of NF-κB p65, and concurrently catalyzes bone regeneration in two bone defect models. Consequently, CDC20@ZIF-8@eM-Apt introduces a pioneering strategy for tackling bone defects and associated maladies, opening novel avenues in therapeutic intervention.
Topics: Osteogenesis; Zeolites; Erythrocyte Membrane; Bone Regeneration; Nanoparticles
PubMed: 38030141
DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202302725 -
Environmental Science and Pollution... Apr 2024The toxicity of aluminum oxide (AlO), copper oxide (CuO), iron oxide (FeO), nickel oxide (NiO), zinc oxide (ZnO), and titanium dioxide (TiO) nanoparticles (NPs) on...
The toxicity of aluminum oxide (AlO), copper oxide (CuO), iron oxide (FeO), nickel oxide (NiO), zinc oxide (ZnO), and titanium dioxide (TiO) nanoparticles (NPs) on amphibians and their interaction with high temperatures, remain unknown. In this study, we investigated the survival, developmental, behavioral, and histological reactions of Bufotes viridis embryos and larvae exposed to different NPs for a duration of 10 days, using lethal concentrations (LC25%, LC50%, and LC75% mg/L) under both ambient (AT: 18 °C) and high (HT: 21 °C) temperatures. Based on LC, NiONPs > ZnONPs > CuONPs > AlONPs > TiONPs > FeONPs showed the highest mortality at AT. A similar pattern was observed at HT, although mortality occurred at lower concentrations and FeONPs were more toxic than TiONPs. The results indicated that increasing concentrations of NPs significantly reduced hatching rates, except for TiONPs. Survival rates decreased, abnormality rates increased, and developmental processes slowed down, particularly for NiONPs and ZnONPs, under HT conditions. However, exposure to low concentrations of FeONPs for up to 7 days, CuONPs for up to 72 h, and NiO, ZnONPs, and TiONPs for up to 96 h did not have a negative impact on survival compared with the control group under AT. In behavioral tests with larvae, NPs generally induced hypoactivity at AT and hyperactivity at HT. Histological findings revealed liver and internal gill tissue lesions, and an increase in the number of melanomacrophage centers at HT. These results suggest that global warming may exacerbate the toxicity of metal oxide NPs to amphibians, emphasizing the need for further research and conservation efforts in this context.
Topics: Animals; Metal Nanoparticles; Climate Change; Anura; Nickel; Zinc Oxide; Larva; Titanium; Aluminum Oxide
PubMed: 38592634
DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33219-8 -
Physics in Medicine and Biology Apr 2024To evaluate the reduction in energy dependence and aging effect of the lithium salt of pentacosa-10,-12-diynoic acid (LiPCDA) films with additives including aluminum...
To evaluate the reduction in energy dependence and aging effect of the lithium salt of pentacosa-10,-12-diynoic acid (LiPCDA) films with additives including aluminum oxide (AlO), propyl gallate (PG), and disodium ethylenediaminetetracetate (EDTA).. LiPCDA films exhibited energy dependence on kilovoltage (kV) and megavoltage (MV) photon energies and experienced deterioration over time. Evaluations were conducted with added AlOand antioxidants to mitigate these issues, and films were produced with and without AlOto assess energy dependence. The films were irradiated at doses of 0, 3, 6, and 12 cGy at photon energies of 75 kV, 105 kV, 6 MV, 10 MV, and 15 MV. For the energy range of 75 kV to 15 MV, the mean and standard deviation (std) were calculated and compared for the values normalized to the net optical density (netOD) at 6 MV, corresponding to identical dose levels. To evaluate the aging effect, PG and disodium EDTA were incorporated into the films: sample C with 1% PG, sample D with 2% PG, sample E with 0.62% disodium EDTA added to sample D, and sample F with 1.23% disodium EDTA added to sample D.. Films containing AlOdemonstrated a maximum 15.8% increase in mean normalized values and a 15.1% reduction in std, reflecting a greater netOD reduction at kV than MV energies, which indicates less energy dependence in these films. When the OD of sample 1-4 depending on the addition of PG and disodium EDTA, was observed for 20 weeks, the transmission mode decreased by 8.7%, 8.3%, 29.3%, and 27.3%, respectively, while the reflection mode was 5.4%, 3.0%, 37.0%, and 34.5%, respectively.. AlOeffectively reduced the voltage and MV energy dependence. PG was more effective than disodium EDTA in preventing the deterioration of film performance owing to the aging effect.
Topics: Film Dosimetry; Aluminum Oxide; Edetic Acid; Propyl Gallate; Photons
PubMed: 38565123
DOI: 10.1088/1361-6560/ad39c1 -
Langmuir : the ACS Journal of Surfaces... Nov 2023Ion-mediated attraction between DNA and mica plays a crucial role in biotechnological applications and molecular imaging. Here, we combine molecular dynamics simulations...
Ion-mediated attraction between DNA and mica plays a crucial role in biotechnological applications and molecular imaging. Here, we combine molecular dynamics simulations and single-molecule atomic force microscopy experiments to characterize the detachment forces of single-stranded DNA at mica surfaces mediated by the metal cations Li, Na, K, Cs, Mg, and Ca. Ion-specific adsorption at the mica/water interface compensates (Li and Na) or overcompensates (K, Cs, Mg, and Ca) the bare negative surface charge of mica. In addition, direct and water-mediated contacts are formed between the ions, the phosphate oxygens of DNA, and mica. The different contact types give rise to low- and high-force pathways and a broad distribution of detachment forces. Weakly hydrated ions, such as Cs and water-mediated contacts, lead to low detachment forces and high mobility of the DNA on the surface. Direct ion-DNA or ion-surface contacts lead to significantly higher forces. The comprehensive view gained from our combined approach allows us to highlight the most promising cations for imaging in physiological conditions: K, which overcompensates the negative mica charge and induces long-ranged attractions. Mg and Ca, which form a few specific and long-lived contacts to bind DNA with high affinity.
Topics: Cations; DNA; Aluminum Silicates; Sodium; Water
PubMed: 37877163
DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c01835 -
Orthodontics & Craniofacial Research Aug 2023Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology is a promising manufacturing technique for fabricating ceramic brackets. The aim of this research was to assess fundamental...
OBJECTIVES
Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology is a promising manufacturing technique for fabricating ceramic brackets. The aim of this research was to assess fundamental mechanical properties of in-office, 3D printed ceramic brackets.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
3D-printed zirconia brackets, commercially available polycrystalline alumina ceramic brackets (Clarity, 3 M St. Paul, MN) and 3D-printed customized polycrystalline alumina ceramic ones (LightForce™, Burlington, Massachusetts) were included in this study. Seven 3D printed zirconia brackets and equal number of ceramic ones from each manufacturer underwent metallographic grinding and polishing followed by Vickers indentation testing. Hardness (HV) and fracture toughness (K1c) were estimated by measuring impression average diagonal length and crack length, respectively. After descriptive statistics calculation, group differences were analysed with 1 Way ANOVA and Holm Sidak post hoc multiple comparison test at significance level α = .05.
RESULTS
Statistically significant differences were found among the materials tested with respect to hardness and fracture toughness. The 3D-printed zirconia proved to be less hard (1261 ± 39 vs 2000 ± 49 vs 1840 ± 38) but more resistant to crack propagation (K1c = 6.62 ± 0.61 vs 5.30 ± 0.48 vs 4.44 ± 0.30 MPa m ) than the alumina brackets (Clarity and Light Force respectivelty). Significant differences were observed between the 3D printed and the commercially available polycrystalline alumina ceramic brackets but to a lesser extent.
CONCLUSIONS
Under the limitations of this study, the 3D printed zirconia bracket tested is characterized by mechanical properties associated with advantageous orthodontic fixed appliances traits regarding clinically relevant parameters.
Topics: Hardness; Materials Testing; Ceramics; Aluminum Oxide; Surface Properties
PubMed: 36648375
DOI: 10.1111/ocr.12632 -
Journal of Colloid and Interface Science Jul 2023The location and the conformational changes of proteins/enzymes immobilized within Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are still poorly investigated and understood. Bovine...
The location and the conformational changes of proteins/enzymes immobilized within Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are still poorly investigated and understood. Bovine serum albumin (BSA), used as a model protein, was immobilized within two different zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-zni and ZIF-8). Pristine ZIFs and BSA@ZIFs were characterized by X-ray diffraction, small-angle X-ray scattering, scanning electron microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, micro-FTIR and confocal Raman spectroscopy to characterize MOFs structure and the protein location in the materials. Moreover, the secondary structure and conformation changes of BSA after immobilization on both ZIFs were studied with FTIR. BSA is located both in the inner and on the outer surface of MOFs, forming domains that span from the micro- to the nanoscale. BSA crystallinity (β-sheets + α-helices) increases up to 25 % and 40 % due to immobilization within ZIF-zni and ZIF-8, respectively, with a consequent reduction of β-turns.
Topics: Serum Albumin, Bovine; Zeolites; Imidazoles; Metal-Organic Frameworks; Molecular Conformation
PubMed: 36965340
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.03.107